Whether you’re looking to relocate your existing pallet racks to a more suitable location or trying to sell them out, you have to disassemble them first. Understanding how to properly disassemble pallet racking is important to ensure a safe and sound disassembly.
This guide will cover everything you need to know before you start disassembling your pallet racking and provide a step-by-step walkthrough on how to disassemble pallet racking easily. So, let’s get started.
Things To Do Before Disassembling Pallet Racking
When disassembling pallet racking in your warehouse, certain procedures and safety measures must be followed. Avoiding these can cause costly accidents during the process of pallet racking disassembly.
Here are the most important factors that you need to take care of when dismantling your pallet racking.
- Follow Safety Protocols and Precautions: While preparing to disassemble your pallet rack, create a set of safety protocols and strictly enforce them. Everyone involved in the disassembling of pallet racking should wear the proper protective equipment. Unauthorized personnel should not be allowed in the area. Only trained personnel should have access to pallet racking disassembling tools to avoid accidents during the process.
- Assess The Pallet Racking System: Before you start disassembling a pallet rack, you should inspect the current condition of your pallet racking system to discover areas that require extra care and precaution during the disassembly. Also, inspect the pallet racking system for any visible damages such as bent beams or missing safety pins.
- Create a Disassembly Plan: Before disassembling a pallet racking system, develop a detailed plan for an organized and efficient disassembly. This plan should include a list of all tools and equipment needed for the process. Also, since many people would be involved in it, you need to assign roles and responsibilities to each member to avoid confusion while disassembling your pallet racking.
- Tools Needed For Disassembling Your Pallet Racking: You will need a handful of essential tools to disassemble your pallet racking safely. Some of the must-have ones are listed below:
- Wrenches and Ratchets.
- Screwdrivers.
- Pliers.
- Pry Bars.
- Hammers.
- Forklifts.
- Safety Gears.
Create a disassembly plan according to the type of pallet racking you have in your warehouse. This also means getting the proper tools and equipment. You should follow the instructions of your pallet racking manufacturer to create an efficient and effective pallet racking disassembling plan.
6 Steps To Disassemble Pallet Racking Safely
Disassembling pallet racking is easy when you have an actionable disassembly plan. After that, you just have to complete the following 6 steps for a safe pallet racking disassembly.
1. Clear All The Racks
The first step of pallet racking disassembly is removing every item stored on the pallet racks. Remove all the inventory from the racks and move it out of the warehouse to avoid inventory loss in case of any accidents while disassembling the pallet racking.
As you’re clearing out the racks, carry out a pallet racking inspection too. Mark the damaged areas so your disassembling team is cautious while removing the damaged components of the pallet racking.
2. Dismantle The Beams
Once everything is out and your pallet racking system is empty, start dismantling the beams of your pallet racking system. Using the proper tools, remove all the safety pins to detach the beams from the uprights. Make sure you don’t cause any collision between the uprights and beams when lowering the dismantled components.
Keep repeating the same procedure until every beam is separated. Be sure to store every safety pin you pick out from each beam as these pins are reusable when reassembling your pallet racking.
3. Dismantle The Uprights
Up next are the uprights. Remove the cross braces first and then carefully unscrew the anchor bolts to free the upright frames from the floor. Once the uprights are free, safely lower them and place them horizontally on the floor. If the uprights are heavy, it’s best to use a forklift instead of relying on manpower.
4. Remove High-Level Racks
It’s easy to disassemble the lower-level racks of a pallet racking system. The real trouble begins when you try and disassemble the high-level racks. That’s why you should take extra precautions when disassembling the high-level racks.
Start by clearing the top racks and removing all inventory stored on them. Dismantle the beams unscrew the uprights and use a forklift to carefully lower these components onto the floor. Once all the high-level racks are placed on the ground, use a forklift again to store them in a safe place.
5. Dispose Of The Pallet-racking
After you have disassembled the pallet racking and towed it out of your warehouse, it’s time to decide what you want to do with it. We’ve listed the three things that you can do with your disassembled pallet racking.
- Sell: If your pallet racking is in good condition, you can sell it in the used pallet racking market to recoup some of your investment.
- Recycle: If you plan to recycle your disassembled pallet racking, try finding a local recycling facility and fulfill their requirements.
- Dispose of: For a completely worn-out pallet racking, proper disposal might be the best option. Just make sure you follow all local rules and regulations when disposing of your pallet racking materials.
Reselling can help you recover some of your initial pallet racking installation cost however if you’re pallet racking components are damaged beyond repair, it’s best to get rid of it completely or put it up for recycling.
6. Cleanse The Warehouse Floor
Last but not least, it’s important that you clean the entire area after the disassembly. Don’t leave any tools lying around and make sure the entire area is clear of any debris. Things like safety pins, nuts and bolts, and other components might be on the floor once the disassembly is complete. Take this time to inspect the warehouse floor and walls for any damage and report it to the proper personnel.
Conclusion
Disassembling pallet racking requires careful planning and attention to safety. Remember the process for disassembling pallet racking may differ for different pallet racking types. So it’s recommended to always review the manufacturer’s instructions before disassembling your pallet racking.
We hope that this guide may have informed you about everything that you need to know about disassembling pallet racking.
FAQs
1. Can We Reuse Pallet Racking After Disassembling Them?
Yes, you can reuse your pallet racking after disassembling it. Just make sure that when you are reassembling your pallet racking, its components should be in good condition to get a sturdy structure like before.
2. What Should Be Done With Damaged Components Of Pallet Racking?
Using a pallet racking system that has damaged components is a workplace hazard. It can lead to accidents in the warehouse which can cause inventory loss and injuries to warehouse employees. Any damaged components of a pallet racking system should be promptly replaced or repaired.